North Dakota State (11-4 in 2023) at Colorado (4-8)
When/where: Thursday, 6 p.m./Folsom Field
TV/Radio: ESPN/850 AM
: CU -10, 60.5 over/under
: Mostly clear, 81 degrees at kickoff
Three storylines
Seaton & Co.: The key to this season for the Buffs is obvious: Control the line of scrimmage, giving quarterback Shedeur Sanders time to throw and the running backs room to run, and CU’s ceiling goes up dramatically. Struggle like last year’s unit did, and there’s only so much Sanders can do. Five-star left tackle Jordan Seaton is one of four new starters up front, with center Hank Zilinskas the lone returner. Can Seaton make an immediate impact straight out of high school? Is one offseason under new offensive line coach Phil Loadholt enough for this group to gel? Answers to those questions start to arrive Thursday.
Getting defensive: Much like their offensive counterparts, the Buffs defensive front has a lot to prove. A year ago, CU was 107th in FBS in rushing yards allowed per game (176.4). Now it’s up to new defensive coordinator Robert Livingston and a slew of new assistants and players to improve upon that number. NDSU should provide an early window into just how much that turnover has changed the equation. The Bison had the fourth most productive run game in FCS last fall (237.3 yards/game) and return a four-year starter at QB in Cam Miller. Shut these guys down, and that Nebraska game looks much more promising.
FCS power: Forget about giving CU grief for scheduling an FCS opponent. As anyone who pays attention to that division knows NDSU is no patsy. The Bison have beaten FBS opponents six times since 2010, including wins over Iowa (’16), Iowa State (’14), Kansas State (’13), Colorado State (’12), Minnesota (’11) and Kansas (’10). NDSU enters the season ranked No. 2 in the FCS coaches poll, with a new head coach (Tim Polasek) taking the reins after Matt Entz left to be a defensive assistant at USC. NDSU’s last FBS matchup (2022 at Arizona) ended in a 31-28 loss. Is this the same Bison program that ripped off nine FCS titles in 11 seasons between 2011 and 2021? Or have they taken a step back?
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CU 28, NDSU 24
For any Buffs fans expecting a steamrolling, think again. This is as much of a trap game as it is a season opener against a lower-level opponent. The Bison control the trenches with their physicality until CU’s superior top-end talent saves the day in the waning moments. Jimmy Horn Jr. catches the game-winning TD, then the Buffs stop NDSU on the final drive.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 35, NDSU 31
The previous four North Dakota State football coaches have all won their respective debuts with the Bison, an ominous sign. It’s not hard to see this one playing out as a carbon copy of NDSU’s visit to Arizona two years ago. The Bison hang around, hang around and lead late, only for Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to rip their hearts out on a TD with less than a minute left on the clock. We’re on to Nebraska!
Matt Schubert, sports editor: CU 38, NDSU 27
Sure, the Bison have a history of taking down FBS opponents. Sure, the Buffs could easily be looking ahead to next week’s visit to Nebraska. But in the end, none of that matters. The talent disparity between these two teams is too great, especially at the position that matters most, quarterback. The Bison hang around for a half, but the Buffs just keep on scoring.
